Venezuela captured its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. The final was hosted at the Miami Marlins' home stadium.[1][2]
Prior to this result, the WBC had been won by Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, the Dominican Republic in 2013, and the United States in 2017.[3][4]
Venezuela advanced to the final after defeating Italy in the semifinals the previous night. The team was managed by Omar Lopez.
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-handed pitcher who signed a four-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of the 2024 season,[5] started for Venezuela. He pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one hit, walking none and striking out four, including United States captain Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
Offensively, Maikel Garcia drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run in the fifth to make it 2-0.[5]
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 2-2. Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Eugenio Suárez, currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[5]
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela, striking out three batters to earn the save.
Sources
- MLB.com
World Baseball Classic 2026 venues, dates announced
30 September 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-venues-dates-announced - MLB.com
loanDepot park
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark - World Baseball Classic official site
History
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic/history - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic - Results
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic#Results - MLB.com Player Pages (Abreu: https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742; Rodriguez: https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566; Suárez: https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608030)
Team and bio pages
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/players